Finding Rest

It is always an interesting time when we begin to turn the corner from summer to fall. Part of this is due to everyone easing back into his or her regular routines and schedules. For many, vacations are now in the rear view mirror. With school back into full swing, along with the seemingly endless amount of extracurricular activities available, we can find our schedules filing up quickly. On top of that, we still have to do all the normal list of things: laundry, lawn care, cleaning, making dinner, paying bills, and the list go on. The challenge is not just managing our busy schedules but also not letting them define our identity.

This Wednesday at Converge, our Wednesday night
worship gathering for students, we are beginning a new 5-part series called #TheStruggleIsReal. We will spend time looking at what it's like to live a Christ-focused life in the middle of a selfie-centered world. We will discuss topics including finding compassion, authenticity, relationships, contentment, and rest among all the pressures and distractions of life.

This week, we will kick off the series by talking about finding rest in Christ. Matthew 11:28 (NIV) says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” If we are not to be defined by our busy schedules, then we must find our identity in Christ. That starts with us finding our rest in him. Most of the time, that is easier said than done. My challenge to you is to write out a list of plans that help you battle the busyness. For example, one plan of action could be to set aside an uninterrupted time to have a daily bible reading. Another might be to simply schedule time to disconnect and get alone for 10 minutes. Whatever your plan may be, the goal is not to add more to your schedule but to help you find rest in Christ amidst the schedule.